Game controller

ABSTRACT

A steering/driving game controller integrates an additional steering lever to the underside of the game controller. The steering lever is spring biased in a center operable positions and is variably actuated such that it is responsive to varying degrees of depression. In response to the varying degree of user depression, the steering/driving controller is capable of outputting steering control signals of varying level to a connected game console, thereby enabling more selective and more accurate driving control within a video game being played on the connected game console.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to game controllers, and moreparticularly, to a genre specific game controller for driving orsteering applications.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The concept of a genre specific game controller is well known inthe gaming industry. Examples of such genre specific games that utilizegenre specific game controllers are flight simulators, first personshooting games, and driving games.

[0005] Some examples of driving or steering assemblies for video gamingare shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,829,745 and 6,083,106. The '745 patentdiscloses a video game control unit with self-centering steering wheel.This control unit includes a separable console and base sections, withthe console section housing a steering wheel video game input devicethat automatically returns to a central, neutral position. This steeringwheel controller is very cumbersome and is exclusively dedicated todriving games and cannot be used with other genres of games.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,106 discloses a video game race car simulatorassembly for simulating sitting in the driver seat of a racing car whenplaying a driving video game. This simulator is not designed for homeuse, and as such prevents the implementation into home video gamingsystems such as, for example, Sony PlayStation®, Sega DREAMCAST®,Nintendo 64®, etc.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,317 discloses an operation apparatus for agame machine. This game controller is a two-handed controller requiringthe user to hold both sides simultaneously and thereby enable them toactuate controls on both sides of the housing. In addition, the housingof this game controller is designed to twist in the middle so as toprovide the user with improved feeling and operation. This controllercan be utilized for driving games and provide the user with the abilityto “steer” by twisting the controller accordingly. This design, althoughunique, has a shortfall in that the twisting action of the controllercan interfere with the user's ability to actuate any of the controlsmounted on the top of the controller. As such, there is too muchmovement in the controller to provide the user with accurate controlover the game being played.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,317 discloses a two-handed controller forvideo games and simulations. This game controller shows the use ofbuttons disposed on the underside of the game controller to simulatetrigger action for the user. These trigger buttons are not part of theD-pad or other movement controls associated with the controller.

[0009] To date, all video game controllers for the home gamingenvironment utilize movement controls and trigger controls (i.e.,buttons that control a game action such as, for example, firing one ormore weapons and braking or acceleration of a motor vehicle). Themovement controls are generally in the form of a joystick or D-pad. Thejoystick or D-pad provides the user with two-dimensional movementcontrol in a fixed plane. Although most controllers are designed fortwo-handed actuation, the movement controller (i.e., joystick or D-pad)is one part of the controller that is generally actuated with one of theuser's hands (or fingers). As such, in certain genre specific gamingenvironments, the standard two-dimensional movement control provided bya D-pad or joystick is less than desirable and makes playing the gamemore difficult for the user.

[0010] Examples of such genre specific games are driving games where theuser is required to steer a motor vehicle. These games generally requirea higher degree of precision and variability in the game controls inorder to properly effect steering during play. In addition, in order toprovide a more realistic driving/steering experience, the user should berequired to utilize both hands for steering. The standard D-pad orjoystick fails to meet this preferred criteria. Other steering wheelcontrollers in the shape of a steering wheel promote the two-handeddriving/steering experience, however fail to generally provide the otherergonomically preferred designs of two-handed controllers (e.g., U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,102,803 and 5,785,317)., including the disposition of othercontrols used in conjunction with the genre specific control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide agame controller that includes additional driving/steering game controlsfor operation by the user without interfering with the other existingbuttons or controls on a two-handed game controller.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a gamecontroller that may be selectively used with genre specific drivinggames, while remaining capable of performing all standard basictwo-handed gaming functions.

[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gamecontroller having dedicated driving/steering levers disposed on theunderside of the controller that provide more accurate and reliablesteering control to the user.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with anembodiment of the invention, wherein a genre specific game controllerfor driving and steering applications includes a game controller housingadapted for two-hand operation, a plurality of game controls disposed onan upper side of said housing, and a steering lever disposed on anunderside of said housing and having two lever ends each adapted to beactuated by fingers on one of the user's hands.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the steering lever is a single piecelever having a rotation axle rotatably connected to the game controllerthrough said housing. The lever ends extend from the rotation axle andwhen one end is rotated about the rotation axle, the other end moves inan opposite direction. Electronic circuitry disposed within the gamecontroller housing detects the position of the steering lever andoutputs variable electrical control commands corresponding to thedetected variable positions of the lever ends.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the steering lever is a twopiece lever having a central axle. Each piece of the two piece lever isrotatably connected to the game controller about the central axle andthrough the housing. Each of the lever ends are formed by one of the twopiece lever and each are independently operable with respect to theother. Electronic circuitry disposed within the game controller housingdetects the independent position of each of the steering lever ends andoutputs variable electrical control commands corresponding to thedetected variable positions of the lever ends.

[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims. It should befurther understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scaleand that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended toconceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings wherein like reference numeral denote similarcomponents throughout the views:

[0019]FIG. 1a is a front view of a game controller according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 1b is a side view of the game controller according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 1c is a bottom view of the game controller according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2a is a front view of a game controller according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2b is a bottom view of the game controller according to thesecond embodiment of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 3a a front view of a game controller according to a thirdembodiment of the invention;

[0025]FIG. 3b is a side view of the game controller according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

[0026]FIG. 3c is a bottom view of the game controller according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 4a is a front view of a game controller according to a fourthembodiment of the invention;

[0028]FIG. 4b is a bottom view of the game controller according thefourth embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 5a is a partial cross section showing the internal operationof the game controller according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

[0030]FIG. 5b is a partial cross section showing the internal operationof game controller according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 6a is a partial cross section showing the internal operationof the game controller according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

[0032]FIG. 6b is a partial cross section showing the internal operationof the game controller according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a partial cross section showing the internal operationof the game controller according to the third embodiment of theinvention;

[0034]FIG. 8a is a partial cross section showing another embodiment ofthe internal operation of the game controller according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

[0035]FIG. 8b is partial cross section of the lever arrangement of theembodiment of FIG. 8a;

[0036]FIG. 9a is a partial cross section showing another embodiment ofthe internal operation of game controller according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

[0037]FIG. 9b is a partial cross section of the lever arrangement of theembodiment of FIG. 9a;

[0038]FIG. 10a is a partial cross section showing another embodiment ofthe internal operation of the game controller according to the fourthembodiment of the invention;

[0039]FIG. 10b is an exemplary implementation of the sensor arrangementfor the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10a;

[0040]FIG. 10c is another exemplary implementation of the sensorarrangement for the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10a;

[0041]FIG. 11a is a block representation of the sensor configurationaccording to the embodiment invention;

[0042]FIG. 11b is a block representation of the sensor configurationaccording to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0043]FIG. 11c is a block representation of the sensor configurationaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1a-1 c, there is shown a game controller 10according to a first embodiment of the invention. Game controller 10includes a housing 12, a plurality of upper game controls 14 and aplurality of front control buttons 16 a-16 d. A central axis 18 runsthrough game controller housing 12 transverse to the two-dimensionalplane in which the D-pad or joystick operates. The aforementioned D-padand/or joystick are included in the plurality of upper game controls 14.

[0045] In accordance with the present embodiment, a driving/steeringlever 20 is disposed on the underside of the controller housing 12 andis rotatably mounted about a rotation axle 22 which is coaxially alignedwith central axis 18. Lever 20 is spring biased into a center positionand includes two lever ends 24 a and 24 b positioned to be actuated bythe fingers of the user's right and left hands, respectively. Lever 20is variably actuated based on the degree of depression applied by theuser. Referring to FIG. 1c, when lever end 24 b is actuated in thedirection indicated by arrow A1, the opposing end 24 a is displaced anequal amount in the direction A2 (as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1c).The variable position ability of lever 20 in addition to its ergonomicdisposition on the underside of the controller allows the user to moreaccurately and realistically apply steering control in response to thevideo game being played. The rotating action of lever 20 enables thesteering/driving control to be accurately and variably controlled whileallowing the user to maintain both hands on the controller at all times.This further allows the user to actuate any of the upper 14 or front 16controls during steering/driving action.

[0046]FIG. 5a shows one example of the electronic implementation oflever 20 into game controller 10. As shown a potentiometer 42 isconnected to a printed circuit board 40 contained within housing 12.Rotation axle 22 of lever 20 is connected to or integral with the stemof potentiometer 42, and a spring 44, wound around axle 22 and held inplace by notches 46 a and 46 b, biases lever 20 into its centraloperable position. Thus, the actuation of either lever end 24 a or 24 bchanges the resistance output of potentiometer 42 and thereby allows forthe variable steering/driving adjustment of a video game being playedthrough a connected game console (not shown).

[0047]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show a second embodiment where steering lever 20is separated into two independently operable parts consisting of leverends 24 a and 24 b. In this embodiment, each lever end 24 a and 24 b isindependent of the other. Thus, when lever end 24 b is depressed in thedirection indicated by A1, lever end 24 a does not move. This embodimentrequires additional control circuitry as shown in FIGS. 5b and 9 a.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5b, there is shown an embodiment for theindependent control and actuation performed by independent levers 24 aand 24 b. As shown, separate potentiometers 42 a and 42 b are connectedto circuit board 40 and to the respective lever end 24 a and 24 b via agear mechanism made up of gears 47 a and 47 b. Those of skill in the artwill recognize that the rotation axle 22 must now be configured to alloweach lever end 24 a and 24 b to rotate independently of each other. Axle22 can be configured to have an inner axle 26 connecting lever end 24 ato potentiometer 42 a via gears 47 a and 43 a. Accordingly, an outeraxle 28 connects lever end 24 b to potentiometer 42 b via gears 47 b and43 b. The spring 44 can be positioned as shown and notches 46 a and 46 bare disposed accordingly to allow each lever end 24 a and 24 b to bespring biased in a desired direction or position. Thus, when one leverend 24 a or 24 b is actuated, the corresponding potentiometer 42 a or 42b will change its resistance output in response to that movement andthereby allow the variable, and increased accuracy of driving control inthe desired direction.

[0049] The embodiment shown in FIG. 5b is one example of how suchconfiguration may be implemented. Those of ordinary skill will recognizethat various other methods for allowing the independent rotation andactuation may be implemented without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

[0050]FIGS. 6a and 6 b show another circuitry implementation operablefor the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1a, 1 b and 1 c. In thisembodiment, a pair of hall effect sensors 48 a and 48 b are connected tothe circuit board 40, and an opposing pair of magnets 49 a and 49 b arepositioned on a holder 59 mounted to the axle 22. Thus, when either ofthe lever ends 24 a or 24 b are moved, the positions of the magnets 49 aand 49 b are detected by the corresponding hall effect sensors 48 a and48 b (i.e., based on the strength of the magnetic fields created by themagnets), and the corresponding electrical steering/driving command isgenerated and output to the connected game console (not shown).

[0051]FIGS. 3a-3 c show a third embodiment where steering lever 30 is aone piece lever that pivots about a centrally disposed pivot line P,transverse to central axis 18. Steering lever 30 is spring biased andincludes lever ends 32 a and 32 b that are actuated by the user engagingand pulling the lever end in the direction indicated by arrow A3. Whenlever end 32 b is engaged as shown in FIG. 3a, opposing end 32 aresponds by moving in an opposite direction A4 (shown in dotted lines).The pivotal action of lever 30 enables the steering/driving control tobe accurately and variably controlled while allowing the user tomaintain both hands on the controller at all times. This further allowsthe user to actuate any of the upper 14 or front 16 controls duringdriving action. FIGS. 4a and 4 b show a modified embodiment where lever30 is separated into two independently operable ends 32 a and 32 b, eachbeing pivotal about pivot line P.

[0052]FIG. 7 shows the electrical implementation of the embodimentsdisclosed in FIGS. 3a-4 b. As shown, the lever arm 30 is connected to apivot mount 50 by two legs 34 a and 34 b. The pivot mount 50 includes apivot ball 52 pivoting upon a pivot indentation 53 within the controllerhousing, and magnets 49 a and 49 b arranged thereon. The pivot mount 50,and thereby lever arm 30, is biased into a center position by springs 36a and 36 b. Corresponding hall effect sensors 48 a and 48 b are mountedon the circuit board 40 and are positioned so as to detect the movementof the respective magnets 49 a and 49 b and produce electrical controlsignals accordingly. In the independent arm operation embodiment ofFIGS. 4a and 4 b, the pivot mount 50 need not be separated into twoparts, but rather the lever arm 30 separated into it's two lever ends 32a and 32 b while retaining a flexible connection to prevent separationfrom each other. In this arrangement, the hall effect sensors 48 a and48 b and magnets 49 a and 49 b will continue to operate as desired.

[0053]FIGS. 8a and 8 b show another embodiment of the electronicimplementation of lever 20 (made up of lever ends 24 a and 24 b) intothe game controller. As shown, lever ends 24 a and 24 b haveinterlocking teeth 64 a and 64 b, respectively, arranged around therotation axle 22. A cap or other securing mechanism 66 attached ontoaxle 22 and retains lever ends 24 a and 24 b in their operable positionon the underside of the game controller. An arm or extension 60 isconnected to rotation axle 22 and includes a sensor mechanism 62 forsensing the rotation motion of the lever ends 24 a and 24 b andproviding output signals corresponding to the detected lever endmovement. Sensor mechanism 62 is described later with reference to FIGS.11a-11 c.

[0054]FIGS. 9a and 9 b show another embodiment of the electronicimplementation of lever 20 (made up of lever ends 24 a and 24 b) intothe game controller. This embodiment is particularly suited for theindependent operation of lever ends 24 a and 24 b, as discussed abovewith respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2 b. As shown, eachlever end 24 a and 24 b includes a corresponding rotation shaft 23 a and23 b having an arm or extension 61 a and 61 b, respectively. Extensions61 a and 61 b carry part of the sensor mechanism 62 used to detect therotation position of each lever arm 24 a and 24 b, respectively. As withthe embodiment of FIGS. 8a and 8 b, a cap or other device 66 secures thelevers 24 a and 24 b in their operable positions and onto rotation axles23 a and 23 b, respectively.

[0055]FIGS. 10a-10 c show an alternative embodiment for implementing thepivoting steering lever 30 (made up of lever ends 32 a and 32 b) intothe game controller. Accordingly, each lever end 34 a and 34 b ispivotally connected to the circuit board 40 or controller housing 12 viapivot shafts 70 a and 70 b, respectively. A hall effect sensor 48 a and48 b is mounted on the circuit board 40, with correspondingly mountedmagnets 49 a and 49 b on the respective levers 32 a and 32 b (FIGS. 10and 10b). FIG. 10c shows an alternative embodiment where a pressuresensor 58 is connected to the circuit board 40 and operable to detectthe pressure applied to the levers and output corresponding controlsignals from the game controller.

[0056]FIGS. 11a-11 c show various exemplary embodiments for theimplementation of sensor mechanism 62. FIG. 11a shows the use of a halleffect sensor 48 mounted to the circuit board 40 and a correspondinglyarranged magnet 49 carried by rotating extension 60. FIG. 11b shows theuse of a light sensor 72 with light source 74 mounted on circuit board40. A slotted wheel 76 passes between the sensor 72 and light source 74so as to provide the rotation detection capability required for thelevers. FIG. 11c shows another embodiment where a piezo sensor ismounted on the extension 60 and in electrical contact with the circuitboard 40.

[0057] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that theimplementation embodiments shown in FIGS. 5a-11 c are examples of suchimplementation and may be modified without departing from the spirit ofthe invention

[0058] While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the methods described and devicesillustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, itis expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/ormethod steps which perform substantially the same function insubstantially the same way to achieve the same results are within thescope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized thatstructures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described inconnection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may beincorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form orembodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention,therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A genre specific game controller comprising: agame controller housing adapted for two-hand operation; a plurality ofgame controls disposed on an upper side of said housing; and a leverdisposed on an underside of said housing and having two lever ends eachadapted to be actuated by one of the user's hands.
 2. The gamecontroller according to claim 1, further comprising electronic circuitrydisposed within said housing for outputting variable electrical controlcommands corresponding to variable positions of said lever ends forcontrolling steering actions in a video game.
 3. The game controlleraccording to claim 2, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises aprinted circuit board contained within said housing and a potentiometerelectrically connected to the printed circuit board and having a shaftconnected to said lever, said potentiometer producing the variablecontrol commands corresponding to the detected movement of the lever. 4.The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said electroniccircuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained within saidhousing; a first and a second potentiometer electrically connected tothe printed circuit board; and a gearing mechanism connecting said firstpotentiometer to one of said lever ends and said second potentiometer tothe other of said lever ends, wherein said first and secondpotentiometers produce the variable control commands corresponding tothe detected movement of the lever.
 5. The game controller according toclaim 2, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuitboard contained within said housing; at least one hall effect sensorelectrically connected to said printed circuit board; and at least onemagnet connected to said lever and disposed proximate said at least onehall effect sensor, said at least one hall effect sensor producing thevariable control commands corresponding to the detected movement of thelever.
 6. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein saidelectronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained withinsaid housing; a first hall effect sensor corresponding to one of saidlever ends and connected to said printed circuit board; a second halleffect sensor corresponding to the other of said lever ends andconnected to said printed circuit board; a first magnet disposed on saidlever end corresponding to said first hall effect sensor; and a secondmagnet disposed on said lever end corresponding to said second halleffect sensor; wherein said first and second magnets move with therespective lever ends and said first and second hall effect sensorsproduce the variable control commands corresponding to the detectedmovement of the first and second lever ends.
 7. The game controlleraccording to claim 2, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises: aprinted circuit board contained within said housing; a light sourceconnected to said printed circuit board; a light sensor connected tosaid printed board and operable with said light source; and a slottedwheel disposed between said light source and said light sensor andconnected to said lever, wherein actuation of said lever ends causesrotation of said slotted wheel such that said light sensor produces thevariable control commands corresponding to the detected movement of thelever.
 8. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein saidelectronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained withinsaid housing; a piezo sensor connected to at least one of said leverends and in electrical contact with said circuit board, said piezosensor detecting movement of said lever ends and producing the variablecontrol commands corresponding to the detected movement.
 9. A genrespecific game controller comprising: a game controller housing beingadapted for two-hand operation, said game controller housing having acentral axis; a plurality of game controls disposed on an upper side ofsaid housing, said game controls including a directional elementoperating in a two-dimensional horizontal plane transverse to saidcentral axis; a lever having an axle and two lever ends each adapted tobe actuated by one of the user's hands, said lever being disposed on anunderside of said game controller housing such that said axle is alignedwith said central axis; and electronic circuitry disposed within saidgame controller housing for detecting an operable position of said leverends and outputting variable electrical control commands correspondingto the detected positions of said lever ends.
 10. The game controlleraccording to claim 9, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises aprinted circuit board contained within said housing and a potentiometerelectrically connected to the printed circuit board and having a shaftconnected to said lever, said potentiometer producing the variablecontrol commands corresponding to the detected movement of the lever.11. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said electroniccircuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained within saidhousing; a first and a second potentiometer electrically connected tothe printed circuit board; and a gearing mechanism connecting said firstpotentiometer to one of said lever ends and said second potentiometer tothe other of said lever ends, wherein said first and secondpotentiometers produce the variable control commands corresponding tothe detected movement of the lever.
 12. The game controller according toclaim 9, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuitboard contained within said housing; at least one hall effect sensorelectrically connected to said printed circuit board; and at least onemagnet connected to said steering lever and disposed proximate said atleast one hall effect sensor, said at least one hall effect sensorproducing the variable control commands corresponding to the detectedmovement of the lever.
 13. The game controller according to claim 9,wherein said electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit boardcontained within said housing; a first hall effect sensor correspondingto one of said lever ends and connected to said printed circuit board; asecond hall effect sensor corresponding to the other of said lever endsand connected to said printed circuit board; a first magnet disposed onsaid lever end corresponding to said first hall effect sensor; and asecond magnet disposed on said lever end corresponding to said secondhall effect sensor; wherein said first and second magnets move with therespective lever ends and said first and second hall effect sensorsproduce the variable control commands corresponding to the detectedmovement of the first and second lever ends.
 14. The game controlleraccording to claim 9, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises: aprinted circuit board contained within said housing; a light sourceconnected to said printed circuit board; a light sensor connected tosaid printed board and operable with said light source; and a slottedwheel disposed between said light source and said light sensor andconnected to said lever, wherein actuation of said lever ends causesrotation of said slotted wheel such that said light sensor produces thevariable control commands corresponding to the detected movement of thelever.
 15. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein saidelectronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained withinsaid housing; and a piezo sensor connected to at least one of said leverends and in electrical contact with said circuit board, said piezosensor detecting movement of said lever ends and producing the variablecontrol commands corresponding to the detected movement.